Monitoring arrangements

ABSTRACT

A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area includes a first monitor, a second monitor, and a receiver. The first monitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtain first data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The second monitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtain second data relating to detected activity in the second zone. In addition, the first monitor is in circuit communication with the second monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitor generates a second monitor signal that comprises the second data and sends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitor is configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate a combined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data. After the first monitor generates the combined data packet, the first monitor sends a combined signal to the receiver, in which the combined signal includes the combined data packet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims the benefits ofand priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/465,306, titledMONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, and which was filed on May 30, 2019. Thepresent application also claims the benefits of, and priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/428,840, titled MONITORINGARRANGEMENTS, which was filed on Dec. 1, 2016. Each of these referencesare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Several situations occur in which it is desirable to know the number ofpeople (or other moving objects) passing through or occupying an area,the time a person passes through an area, or any other type ofinformation for monitoring the movement of one or more people through anarea. For example, a hospital administrator may want to know the numberof people in a patient's room at a certain time and/or the time a personenters a patient's room. Furthermore, a hospital administrator, forhygiene compliance purposes, may want to know the number of people thatentered a room having a hand soap/sanitizer dispenser, such that acomparison can be made between the number of people that entered theroom (i.e., number of opportunities for use of the dispenser) and thenumber of actual uses of the hand soap/sanitizer dispenser. In anotherexample, a building manager may want to know the number of people in aroom for compliance with fire codes. In yet another example, an eventorganizer or entertainment facility administrator may want to know thenumber of people that entered the facility to watch an event (e.g., asporting event, a concert, etc.). In these situations, one or moreobject sensing monitors may be used to detect activity.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, asystem for monitoring at least one person passing through an areaincludes a first monitor, a second monitor, and a receiver. The firstmonitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtainfirst data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The secondmonitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtainsecond data relating to detected activity in the second zone. Inaddition, the first monitor is in communication with the second monitorand the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitorgenerates a second monitor signal that comprises the second data andsends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitoris configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate acombined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data.After the first monitor generates the combined data packet, the firstmonitor sends a combined signal to the receiver, in which the combinedsignal includes the combined data packet.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, amethod for counting at least one person passing through an area iscontemplated. In the exemplary method, activity is detected within afirst zone using a first monitor, and first data related to the activitydetected in the first zone is obtained. Activity is detected in a secondzone using a second monitor, and second data related to the activitydetected in the second zone is obtained. A combined data packet thatcomprises the first data and the second data is generated, and acombined signal is sent to a receiver, in which the combined signalincludes the combined data packet.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, asystem includes a first monitoring station, a second monitoring station,and a receiver. The first monitoring station has a first monitorconfigured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtain first datarelated to the detected activity in the first zone, and a second monitorconfigured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtain second datarelated to the detected activity in the second zone. The secondmonitoring station has a third monitor configured to detect activity ina third zone and obtain third data related to the detected activity inthe third zone, and a fourth monitor configured to detect activity in afourth zone and to obtain fourth data related to the detected activityin the fourth zone. The receiver is in communication with at least oneof the first, second, third, and fourth monitors. The at least one ofthe first, second, third, and fourth monitors is configured to generatea combined data packet, in which the combined data packet includes atleast two of the first data, second data, third data, and fourth data.In addition, the at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthmonitors is configured to send to the receiver a combined signal, inwhich the combined signal includes the combined data packet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary system for monitoringmovement of at least one person through an area;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 with an object beingdetected by the system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another exemplary system for monitoringmovement of at least one person through an area;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another exemplary system for monitoringmovement of at least one person through an area;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary system having multiplemonitoring stations monitoring movement of at least one person throughan area; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for monitoring movement ofat least one person through an area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments of theinvention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in anyway. Indeed, the invention is broader than and unlimited by theexemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their fullordinary meaning.

“Circuit communication” indicates a communicative relationship betweendevices. Direct electrical, electromagnetic and optical connections andindirect electrical, electromagnetic and optical connections areexamples of circuit communication. Two devices are in circuitcommunication if a signal from one is received by the other, regardlessof whether the signal is modified by some other device. For example, twodevices separated by one or more of the following—amplifiers, filters,transformers, optoisolators, digital or analog buffers, analogintegrators, other electronic circuitry, fiber optic transceivers orsatellites—are in circuit communication if a signal from one iscommunicated to the other, even though the signal is modified by theintermediate device(s). As another example, an electromagnetic sensor isin circuit communication with a signal if it receives electromagneticradiation from the signal. As a final example, two devices not directlyconnected to each other, but both capable of interfacing with a thirddevice, such as, for example, a CPU, are in circuit communication.

“Logic,” as used herein, is synonymous with “circuit” or “circuitry” andincludes, but is not limited to, hardware, firmware, software and/orcombinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s). Forexample, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include asoftware controlled microprocessor or microcontroller, discrete logic,such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or otherprogrammed logic device. Logic may also be fully embodied as software.The circuits identified and described herein may have many differentconfigurations to perform the desired functions.

“Software,” as used herein, includes but is not limited to one or moreprocessor readable and/or executable instructions that cause a processoror other electronic device to perform functions, actions, and/or behavein a desired manner. The instructions may be embodied in various formssuch as routines, algorithms, modules or programs including separateapplications or code from dynamically linked libraries. Software mayalso be implemented in various forms such as a stand-alone program, afunction call, a servlet, an applet, instructions stored in a memory,part of an operating system or other type of executable instructions. Itwill be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the form ofsoftware is dependent on, for example, requirements of a desiredapplication, the environment it runs on, and/or the desires of adesigner/programmer or the like. The logic of the system may most easilybe embodied as part of a software package.

“Signal,” includes, but is not limited to one or more electricalsignals, analog or digital signals, one or more computer instructions, abit or bit stream, or the like.

Any values identified in the detailed description are exemplary and theyare determined as needed for a particular system. Accordingly, theinventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are not limited to theparticular values or ranges of values used to describe the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

In people/object monitoring situations, one or more monitors may be usedto detect activity, and the monitors may be in circuit communication(e.g., wired or wireless communication) with a receiver. The receivermay, for example, be connected with or associated with a server, aremote central computing system, or the like. In an exemplaryembodiment, when the monitors detect activity, the monitors communicatedata to the receiver. In an alternative embodiment, the monitors maycommunicate data to the receiver periodically, rather than each time themonitors detect activity. The data may include, for example, time ofdetection, monitor identification, amount of detected area in whichactivity has been detected, location of detected activity, and/or thatno activity has been detected.

Installing activity monitors in wired communication with a receiver maybe difficult depending on the location of the receiver relative to themonitors. For example, extending wires over a long distance could becostly, impractical, or impossible. In certain circumstances, it may bebeneficial to have monitors that wirelessly communicate with thereceiver. The wireless communication may be, for example, radiofrequency (RF) communication (e.g., radio frequency electromagneticradiation), infrared (IR) communication, etc. In systems includingmonitors in wireless communication with a receiver, the monitors send asignal to the receiver that includes data relating to activity detectedby the monitors.

An activity monitor is often limited in the amount of space in which themonitor is able to detect activity. In certain situations, a system maybe needed that is capable of detecting activity in a large area. Inthese situations, several monitors may be used to detect activity. Forexample, if an area is ten feet wide, and each monitor detects activitywithin a two foot width, the system may include an array of fivemonitors to cover the ten foot width of the area. Alternatively, an areamay be provided with a greater number of activity monitors across itswidth, such that the monitored zones of each activity monitor overlap.In another embodiment, an area may have a smaller number of activitymonitors across its width, such that gaps are disposed between themonitored zones of each activity monitor.

In certain embodiments, each activity monitor in a system maycommunicate with a receiver, such that each time a monitor detectsactivity, that monitor communicates the detected activity to thereceiver. The monitors may communicate with the receiver by a wiredconnection or by a wireless connection, by which each monitor sends amonitor signal to the receiver that includes data relating to activitydetected by the monitor, including, for example, data relating to thelocation of the detected object.

Systems that utilize multiple activity monitors in wirelesscommunication with a receiver to detect activity in an area mayencounter situations in which multiple people or other moving objectsare traveling through the area at the same time. In these situations,the multiple monitors may each detect activity and attempt to send asignal to the receiver at the same time, which may lead to inconsistentreceipt of the multiple signals (e.g., the multiple signals jam thesystem). Inconsistent receipt of signals from the monitors may lead tosome detected activity not being received by the receiver.

According to an inventive aspect of the present application, the problemof inconsistent receipt of wireless data signals from multiple activitymonitors can be overcome by providing a system that includes multiplemonitors that are in communication with each other for generation of acombined data signal that includes data obtained by two or more of themultiple monitors, with the combined signal being sent to the receiver.In other words, instead of having each monitor send an individual signalto the receiver, a combined signal is communicated to the receiver,thereby reducing number of signals being sent to a receiversimultaneously. This reduced signal traffic reduces the chances of anunsuccessful transmission of one or more of multiple individual signalssent to the receiver simultaneously. In an exemplary embodiment, asystem includes at least a first monitor (which may be considered aprimary monitor) and a second monitor (which may be considered asecondary monitor). Additional secondary monitors (e.g., a thirdmonitor, a fourth monitor, etc.) may also be utilized. The primarymonitor receives data from the one or more secondary monitors, and theprimary monitor generates a combined data packet that includes datarelating to activity detected by the secondary monitors and datarelating to activity detected by the primary monitor. Subsequently, theprimary monitor communicates the combined data packet in a single,combined data signal to the receiver. The data relating to activitydetected by the monitors may include, for example, time of detection,monitor identification, amount of detected area in which activity hasbeen detected, location of the detected activity, and/or that noactivity has been detected. The exemplary system described aboveobviates the problem of jamming the system by multiple signals.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system100 for monitoring movement of one or more people through an area 102.In certain embodiments, the area 102 may be a restricted passage to aroom or enclosure, such as a doorway or gateway. In other embodiments,the area 102 may be a less restrictive zone of egress, such as, forexample, a hallway, courtyard, lobby, or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, the system 100 includes a first monitor 104, a secondmonitor 106, and a receiver 108. The first monitor 104 is configured todetect activity in a first zone 110, and the second monitor 106 isconfigured to detect activity in a second zone 111. In variousembodiments, the monitors 104, 106 may each include one or more suitablesensors 116 operable to detect activity (e.g., presence, movement, heatsignature, etc.) in the monitored zones 110, 111. In the illustratedembodiment, the sensor 116 emits a signal 118 (e.g., light signal, IRsignal, ultrasonic signal) and, if the signal 118 is blocked, reflected,or otherwise disturbed or changed (e.g., by a person being in the areacovered by the sensor 116), the corresponding monitor 104, 106 generatesa data signal indicating that an object is occupying the area 102. Thesensor 116 may take many forms, such as, for example, active sensors,passive sensors, infrared sensors, parallel sensors, triangulatedsensors, position sensitive devices, time of flight distance sensors,radio frequency signal strength sensors, capacitive sensors, inductivesensors, microwave sensors, optical sensors, sonar sensors, ultrasonicsensors, laser sensors, temperature detection sensors, or the like. Amonitor may detect activity in various ways, such as, for example,disturbance of a signal emitted from a sensor, change in IR signalreceived, etc.

The first monitor 104 and the second monitor 106 are in circuitcommunication with each other. The monitors may communicate by awireless connection or by a wired connection. The wireless communicationmay be, for example, radio-frequency communication, infrared (IR)communication, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the second monitor106 includes a transmitter 130 that is configured to transmit a signal112 by wired or wireless communication to the first monitor 104, and thefirst monitor 104 includes a transmitter 132 that is configured totransmit a signal 114 to the receiver 108. In an exemplary embodiment,when the second monitor 106 detects activity, the second monitor 106transmits a second monitor signal 112 to the first monitor 104 thatincludes data relating to activity detected by the second monitor 106.The first monitor 104 receives the signal 112 from the second monitor106, and the first monitor 104 generates a combined data packet thatincludes data relating to activity detected by the second monitor 106and the data relating to activity detected by the first monitor 104.Subsequently, the first monitor 104 transmits a combined signal 114 tothe receiver 108 that includes the combined data packet. The datarelating to activity detected by the monitors 104, 106 may include, forexample, time of detection, identification, amount of detected area inwhich activity has been detected, location of detected activity, rate ofmovement of the detected object, and/or that no activity has beendetected. In certain embodiments, the system 100 includes additionalmonitors (i.e., multiple “secondary” monitors) in circuit communicationwith the first monitor 104. In these embodiments, when at least one ofthe secondary monitors 106 detects activity, the subsequent signal 114from the first monitor 104 to the receiver 108 contains a combined datapacket (generated by the first monitor 104) that includes data from oneor more of the secondary monitors 106 and the first monitor 104. Invarious embodiments, the receiver 108 includes a processor 134 that isoperable (e.g., using software) to analyze the data that is received bythe receiver 108. The processor 134 is configured to manipulate the datain order to determine, evaluate, and/or report information aboutactivity in the area, including, for example, the number of people thathave passed through the area.

Referring to FIG. 2, portions of an object 201 (e.g., a person) may bedetected by both the first monitor 104 and the second monitor 106. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a first portion 220 of the object 201 isdetected by the first monitor 104, which obtains first data related tothe first portion 220 of the object, and a second portion 222 of theobject 201 is detected by the second monitor 106, which obtains seconddata related to the second portion 222 of the object 201. After theactivity is detected, the second monitor 106 sends a second monitorsignal 112 to the first monitor 104 that includes the second data.Subsequently, the first monitor 104 generates a combined data packetthat includes the first and second data, and the primary monitor 104sends a combined signal 114 containing the combined data packet to thereceiver 108. In this embodiment, the receiver 108 communicates with aprocessor 134 operable (e.g., using software) to manipulate the receiveddata in order to evaluate the objects 201 that were detected by thesystem 100. In the illustrated embodiment, although both the firstmonitor 104 and the second monitor 106 detected portions of the object201, the processor may evaluate the combined data to conclude that onlya single object 201 passed through the area 102, based on the sizeand/or the location of the detected portions 220, 222.

The system 100 may be used in combination with other monitoring devices.As one example, the system 100 may be used in combination with a deviceusage monitor 136 to compare the number of people that pass through anarea to the number of people that use a device (e.g., a soap/sanitizerdispenser) within that area. For example, a hospital administrator,restaurant owner, or food services manager may want to know the numberof employees that use a hand soap/sanitizer dispenser in a certainlocation. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a soap/sanitizer dispenser 138 maybe in circuit communication with a device usage monitor 136 that is incircuit communication with the receiver 108. In certain embodiments, thedevice usage monitor 136 is integral to the dispenser 138. The deviceusage monitor 136 is configured to monitor data of the dispenser 138(e.g., the number of actuations of the dispenser) and send the data ofthe dispenser to the receiver. In addition, the receiver 108 may be incircuit communication with a processor 134 operable to analyze the dataobtained by the system 100 and the data of the dispenser 138 obtained bythe device usage monitor 136. The processor 134 may be configured toevaluate the data obtained by the system 100 and the data of thedispenser 138 in order to compare the obtained data. For example, theprocessor 134 may be configured to compare the opportunities for usingthe dispenser with the actual uses of the dispenser. That is, theprocessor 134 can compare the number of people that entered a room (asdetermined by the system 100) to the number of actuations of thedispenser 138 (as determined by the device usage monitor 136).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the systems 300, 400 may include multiplesecondary monitors (305, 306, 307) that are in circuit communicationwith a primary or first monitor 304. The number of secondary monitors(305, 306, 307) is dependent upon the width W of the area 302. Eachmonitor (304, 305, 306, 307) is configured to detect activity in a zone310 a-d. In certain embodiments, each zone 310 a-d has a width X.Therefore, for example, if the width W of the area 302 is twelve feet,and the width X of each zone 310 a-d is three feet, then four monitors(304, 305, 306, 307) may be used to cover the width W of the area 302.In an alternative embodiment, the zones 310 a-d may be configured tooverlap (not shown), such that more monitors may be used to cover thewidth W of the area 302. In another alternative embodiment, the zones310 a-d may be configured with gaps (not shown) located between thezones 310 a-d, such that fewer monitors may be used to cover the width Wof the area 302. In certain embodiments, the width X of each zone 310a-d may be different, with a suitable number of monitors being used toadequately monitor the entire area 302. Communication between themonitors (304, 305, 306, 307) and/or the receiver 308 may be by ahardwire connection or by a wireless connection. The wirelesscommunication may be, for example, radio frequency (RF) communication(e.g., radio frequency electromagnetic radiation), infrared (IR)communication, etc. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the monitors(304, 305, 306, 307) may include transmitters (330, 331, 332, 333) thatare configured to communicate with the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307)and/or the receiver 308. The receiver 308 may take any suitable form,such as, for example, any form described in the present application.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system 300 may include a daisy chain wiringscheme. For example, the first, second, third and fourth monitors (304,305, 306, 307) may communicate with each other in sequence. The monitors(304, 305, 306, 307) communicate in a direction from the fourth monitor307 to the first monitor 304. In one example, periodically or upondetection of activity, the fourth monitor 307 sends a fourth monitorsignal 311 to the third monitor 306, and the third monitor 306 generatesa first data packet that includes data relating to activity detected bythe fourth monitor 307 and the third monitor 306. Then, the thirdmonitor 306 sends a third monitor signal 312 to the second monitor, andthe second monitor 305 generates a second data packet that includes dataof the first data packet and data relating to activity detected by thesecond monitor 305. Next, the second monitor 305 sends a second monitorsignal 313 to the first monitor 304, and the first monitor generates acombined data packet that includes data of the second data packet anddata relating to activity detected by the first monitor 304.Subsequently, the first monitor 304 sends a combined or first monitorsignal 314 to the receiver 308 that includes the combined data packet.In yet another example, if the second monitor 305 detects activitywithout corresponding detection by the third and fourth monitors, thesecond monitor sends a second monitor signal 313 to the first monitor304, and the first monitor generates a combined data packet thatincludes data relating to activity detected by the second monitor 305and the first monitor 304. Subsequently, the first monitor 304 sends acombined signal 314 to the receiver 308 that includes the combined datapacket. In another example, if the first monitor 304 detects activitywithout corresponding detection by the second, third and fourthmonitors, the first monitor sends a signal 314 to the receiver thatincludes data relating to activity detected by only the first monitor304.

In an alternative embodiment, the system 300 may be configured such thateach time a monitor (304, 305, 306, 307) detects activity, the primarymonitor 304 interrogates each of the secondary monitors to obtain datafrom each of the secondary monitors (305, 306, 307) by the way of thedaisy chain wiring scheme described above, and the signal 314 from theprimary monitor 304 to the receiver 308 contains a combined data packetthat includes data relating to activity detected by all of the monitors(304, 305, 306, 307). In another alternative embodiment, in which thedaisy chain wiring scheme is used, the primary monitor 304 periodicallycommunicates a combined data packet to the receiver 308 that includesdata relating to activity detected by the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307)during a specified period of time or at a predetermined time interval,rather than sending a signal 314 each time activity is detected by amonitor (304, 305, 306, 307). In this alternative embodiment, thecombined data packet may include data relating to multiple detections ofactivity by the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307). Data relating to activitydetected by the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307) may include, for example,time of detection, monitor identification, amount of detected area inwhich activity has been detected, location of detected activity, and/orthat no activity has been detected. In various embodiments, the receiver308 includes a processor 334 that is operable (e.g., using software) toanalyze the data that is received by the receiver 308. The processor 334is configured to manipulate the data in order to determine the number ofpeople that have passed through the area.

Referring to FIG. 4, the system 400 may include a hub and spokes wiringscheme. For example, each of the secondary monitors (305, 306, 307) maycommunicate directly with the first monitor 304. The illustratedembodiment includes first, second, third, and fourth monitors 304, 305,306, 307, and a receiver 308. When the fourth monitor 307 detectsactivity, the fourth monitor 307 sends a fourth monitor signal 311 tothe first monitor 304 that includes data relating to activity detectedby the fourth monitor 307. The first monitor 304 receives the fourthmonitor signal 311 and generates a combined data packet that includes atleast the data relating to activity detected by the fourth monitor 307and the first monitor 304. Subsequently, the first monitor 304 sends acombined signal 314 to the receiver 308 that includes the combined datapacket. Similarly, when the third monitor 306 detects activity, thethird monitor 306 sends a third monitor signal 312 to the first monitor304 that includes data relating to activity detected by the thirdmonitor 306. The first monitor 304 receives the third monitor signal 312and generates a combined data packet that includes at least the datarelating to activity detected by the third monitor 306 and the firstmonitor 304. Subsequently, the first monitor 304 sends a combined signal314 to the receiver 308 that includes the combined data packet.Likewise, when the second monitor 305 detects activity, the secondmonitor 305 sends a second monitor signal 313 to the first monitor 304that includes data relating to activity detected by the second monitor305. The first monitor 304 receives the second monitor signal 313 andgenerates a combined data packet that includes at least the datarelating to activity detected by the second monitor 305 and the firstmonitor 304. Subsequently, the first monitor 304 sends a combined signal314 to the receiver 308 that includes the combined data packet.Optionally, when the first monitor concurrently receives two or more ofthe second, third, and fourth monitor signals, the first monitor maygenerate a combined data packet that includes data relating to activitydetected by the corresponding two or more monitors. In addition, whenthe first monitor 304 detects activity, the first monitor may send asignal 314 to the receiver 308 that includes only data from the firstmonitor 304.

In an alternative embodiment, the system 400 may be configured such thateach time that any monitor (304, 305, 306, 307) detects activity, thefirst monitor 304 interrogates each of the secondary monitors to obtaindata from each of the secondary monitors (305, 306, 307) and send acombined signal 314 to the receiver 308 containing a combined datapacket that includes data relating to activity detected by each of themonitors (304, 305, 306, 307). In another alternative embodiment, theprimary monitor 304 periodically (i.e., at a predetermined timeinterval) interrogates each of the second monitors to obtain data fromeach of the secondary monitors (305, 306, 307) and send a combinedsignal 314 to the receiver 308 containing a combined data packet thatincludes data relating activity detected by the monitors (304, 305, 306,307) during a specified period of time. In this alternative embodiment,the combined data packet may include data relating to multipledetections of activity by the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307). Datarelating to activity detected by the monitors (304, 305, 306, 307) mayinclude, for example, time of detection, monitor identification, amountof detected area in which activity has been detected, location ofdetected activity, and/or that no activity has been detected. In variousembodiments, the receiver 308 includes a processor 334 that is operable(e.g., using software) to analyze the data that is received by thereceiver 308. The processor 334 is configured to manipulate the data inorder to determine information about activity in the area (e.g., thenumber of people that have passed through the area).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the systems 300, 400 may be used incombination with other monitoring devices. As one example, the systems300, 400 may be used in combination with a device usage monitor 336 tocompare the number of people that pass through an area to the number ofpeople that use a device (e.g., a soap/sanitizer dispenser) within thatarea. For example, a hospital administrator, restaurant owner, or foodservices manager may want to know the number of employees that use ahand soap/sanitizer dispenser in a certain location. Referring to FIGS.3 and 4, a soap/sanitizer dispenser 338 may be in circuit communicationwith a device usage monitor 336 that is in circuit communication withthe receiver 308. In certain embodiments, the device usage monitor 336is integral to the dispenser 338. The device usage monitor 336 isconfigured to monitor data of the dispenser 338 (e.g., the number ofactuations of the dispenser) and send the data of the dispenser to thereceiver. In addition, the receiver 308 may be in circuit communicationwith a processor 334 operable to analyze the data obtained by thesystems 300, 400 and the data of the dispenser 338 obtained by thedevice usage monitor 336. The processor 334 may be configured toevaluate the data obtained by the system 300 and the data of thedispenser 338 in order to compare the obtained data. For example, theprocessor 334 may be configured to compare the opportunities for usingthe dispenser with the actual uses of the dispenser. That is, theprocessor 334 can compare the number of people that entered a room (asdetermined by the systems 300, 400) to the number of actuations of thedispenser 338 (as determined by the device usage monitor 336).

Systems for monitoring movement of one or more people through an areamay provide unreliable results if monitors detect activity from peoplethat step into the area but do not pass through the area. For example, aperson may stand in a doorway of a room to talk to someone in the room,but that person may not actually enter the room. Referring to FIG. 5, asystem 500 is illustrated that is configured to prevent falselyidentifying a person at the entrance of an area 510 as having passedthrough the area 510. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 500includes a first monitoring station 524 and a second monitoring station526. In alternative embodiments, the system 500 may include three ormore monitoring stations. The monitoring station 524, 526 may take theform of the systems (100, 300, 400) described in FIGS. 1-4. The firstmonitoring station 524 detects activity at a first portion 501 of anextended area 510, and the second monitoring station 526 detectsactivity at a second portion 502 of the extended area 510. In thisembodiment, a person is determined to occupy a room 528 (or pass throughan area 510) if that person is detected by the first monitoring station524 in the first portion 501 of the area 510 and then by the secondmonitoring station 526 in the second portion 502 of the area 510. Inaddition, a person is determined to exit or cease occupying a room 528(or pass through an area 510 in the opposite direction) if that personis detected by the second monitoring station 526 in the second portion502 of the area 510 and then by the first monitoring station 524 in thefirst portion 501 of the area 510. In certain embodiments, eachmonitoring station 524, 526 includes a first or primary monitor (104,304) configured to communicate with a receiver (108, 308), and one ormore secondary monitors (106, 305, 306, 307) in circuit communicationwith the primary monitor (104, 304). In an alternate embodiments, onlyone monitoring station 524, 526 has a primary monitor (104, 304)configured to communicate with a receiver (108, 308), with the remainingmonitors of the monitoring stations 524, 526 being secondary monitors(106, 305, 306, 307). In this alternative embodiment, the secondarymonitors (106, 305, 306, 307) of each monitoring station 524, 526 are incircuit communication with the one primary monitor (104, 304), and theone primary monitor (104, 304) is configured to transmit a combinedsignal including a combined data packet that includes data of one ormore of the secondary monitors (10, 305, 306, 307) and the primarymonitor (104, 304) to the receiver (108, 308). In various embodiments,the receiver (108, 308) may communicate with a processor (134, 334)operable (e.g., using software) to manipulate data that is received fromthe monitoring stations 524, 526. For example, the processor may beconfigured to determine whether a person enters or exits a room 528 (orarea 510) depending upon the order in which the person passes themonitoring stations 524, 526.

In various situations, a location in which activity is being monitoredmay have multiple areas (e.g., a room having multiple entrances/exits)being monitored for activity. Each area may include any system (100,300, 400, 500) described in FIGS. 1-5, or any combination of thosesystems (100, 300, 400, 500). For example, each area may include aprimary monitor (104, 304) and one or more secondary monitors (106, 305,306, 307), and the primary monitor in each area may transmit a combinedsignal (114, 314) to a receiver 308, in which the signal (114, 314)contains a combined data packet that includes data relating to activitydetected by one or more of the monitors (104, 304, 106, 305, 306, 307)in that area. In an alternative embodiment, some areas may include onlysecondary monitors (106, 305, 306, 307), and these secondary monitors(106, 305, 306, 307) are in circuit communication with a primary monitor(104, 304) disposed in a different area. In this alternative embodiment,the primary monitor (104, 304) receives data relating to activitydetected by the secondary monitors (106, 305, 306, 307) disposed in thesame area and the secondary monitors (106, 305, 306, 307) disposed indifferent areas. Subsequently, the primary monitor (104, 304) sends acombined signal (114, 314) containing a combined data packet thatincludes data relating to activity detected by the secondary monitors inthe same area as the primary monitor (104, 304), activity detected bythe secondary monitors in different areas than the primary monitor (104,304), and activity detected by the primary monitor (104, 304). Invarious embodiments, the receiver (108, 308) includes a processor (134,334) operable (e.g., using software) to analyze the combined data packetthat is received by the receiver (108, 308). The processor (134, 334) isconfigured to manipulate the data in order to determine informationabout activity in the area (e.g., the number of people that have passedthrough the area).

Referring to FIG. 6, a method 600 of monitoring movement of at least oneperson through an area is shown. Activity is detected in a first zoneusing a first monitor (shown at block 602) and first data related toactivity detected in the first zone is obtained (block 604). Activity ina second zone is detected using a second monitor (block 606) and seconddata related to activity detected in the second zone is obtained (block608). The first and second monitors may take any suitable form, such as,for example, the form of any monitor described in the presentapplication. A combined data packet is generated to include the firstdata and the second data (block 610) and a combined signal including thecombined data packet is sent to a receiver (block 612). The receiver maytake any suitable form, such as, for example, the form of any receiverdescribed in the present application. In an exemplary embodiment, thesecond monitor generates a second monitor signal that includes theobtained data related to activity detected in the second zone and sendsthe second signal to the first monitor, and the first monitor isconfigured to receive the second monitor signal, to generate thecombined data packet, and to send the combined signal containing thecombined data packet to the receiver. In certain embodiments, a methodincludes detecting activity within a third zone using a third monitorand obtaining third data related to activity detected in the third zone.In these embodiments, the generated data packet may also include theobtained data related to activity detected in the third zone. In variousembodiments, the method 600 includes analyzing the combined data packetto determine information about activity in the area (e.g., a number ofpeople that passed through the area). The combined data packet may beanalyzed by a processor (134, 334) operable (e.g., using software) tomanipulate the data.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventionsmay be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination withexemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features maybe used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or invarious combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expresslyexcluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intendedto be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, whilevarious alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts andfeatures of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures,configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software,hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, andso on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to bea complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments,whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art mayreadily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or featuresinto additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the presentinventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of theinventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement ormethod, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature isrequired or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further,exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assistin understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and rangesare not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to becritical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, whilevarious aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identifiedherein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, suchidentification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may beinventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described hereinwithout being expressly identified as such or as part of a specificinvention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are notlimited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor isthe order that the steps are presented to be construed as required ornecessary unless expressly so stated.

1. A system for monitoring at least one person passing through apassageway, the system comprising: a plurality of monitors arranged inan array across an area; each of the plurality of monitors monitoring aplurality of zones; wherein the plurality of zones form a barrier acrossthe area; wherein one or more people entering the area must pass throughthe barrier; wherein the plurality of monitors are configured to detectactivity caused by movement of one or more people through at least oneof the plurality of zones using an active sensor; a first one of theplurality of monitors being a primary monitor; wherein the primarymonitor monitors a first zone of the plurality of zones; a second of theplurality of monitors being a secondary monitor; wherein the secondarymonitor monitors a second zone of the plurality of zones; wherein thesecondary monitor has a communication path to the primary monitor; and areceiver; wherein only the primary monitor communicates with thereceiver; wherein the primary monitor receives a signal from thesecondary monitor if the one or more people are detected in the secondzone; wherein the primary monitor transmits a communications signal tothe receiver if one of the plurality of monitors detects a person in oneof the plurality of zones; and wherein the secondary monitor does notcommunicate with the receiver.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a processor in circuit communication with the receiver,wherein the processor receives the communications signal and makes adetermination of whether an opportunity to use a dispenser has occurred.3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser and a deviceusage monitor, wherein the dispenser is in circuit communication withthe device usage monitor, wherein the device usage monitor is in circuitcommunication with the receiver, and wherein the device usage monitor isconfigured to monitor data of the dispenser and send the data of thedispenser to the receiver.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprisinga second secondary monitor configured to detect activity in a third zoneof the plurality of zones; and wherein the second secondary monitor hasa single communication path to the primary monitor.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, further comprising a third secondary monitor configured todetect activity in a fourth zone of the plurality of zones; and whereinthe third secondary monitor has a single communication path to theprimary monitor.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the third secondarymonitor communicates with the second secondary monitor and the secondsecondary monitor communicates with the primary monitor.
 7. The systemof claim 5 further comprising a fourth secondary monitor configured todetect activity in a fifth zone of the plurality of zones; and whereinthe fourth secondary monitor has a single communication path to theprimary monitor.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fourth secondarymonitor communicates with the third secondary monitor and the thirdsecondary monitor communicates with the second secondary monitor and thesecond secondary monitor communicates with the primary monitor.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the communication signal transmitted from theprimary monitor to the receiver is not indicative of a specific zone ofthe plurality of zones in which the one or more persons were detected.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary monitor wirelesslycommunicates with the receiver.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst secondary monitor wirelessly communicates with the primarymonitor.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of monitorsare hard wired to one another.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein theprimary monitor wirelessly communicates with the receiver.
 14. A methodfor counting at least one person passing through an area, the methodcomprising: Providing a plurality of zones arranged in an array acrossan entry point to the area that form a barrier across the entry point,such that one or more people entering the area must pass through thebarrier; wherein there are no gaps in the barrier in which a personwould not be detected when entering the area; detecting activity causedby movement of one or more people through one of the plurality of zonesusing one of a plurality of monitors that have an active sensor; whereinthe plurality of monitors comprise a primary monitor and one or moresecondary monitors; wherein the primary monitor monitors a first zoneand the one or more secondary monitor monitory one or more additionalzones in the plurality of zones; detecting activity caused by movementof one or more people through one of the first zone one of the one ormore additional zones; wherein if activity is detected in the one ormore additional zones, the one or more secondary monitors that detectedthe movement transmits a signal indicating that movement was detected bythe one or more secondary monitors to the primary monitor; wherein ifmovement is detected by the one or more secondary monitors or theprimary monitor, the primary monitor transmits a communication signal toa receiver; wherein the one or more secondary monitors do notcommunicate with the receiver; and wherein the receiver communicates thesignal indicative of motion in one or more of the plurality of zones toa processor; and wherein the processor determines wither the movementdetected by the one or more of the plurality of monitors triggers anopportunity for use of a dispenser.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthere are at least three zones in the barrier.
 16. The method of claim14, wherein there are at least four zones in the barrier.
 17. A systemfor monitoring at least one person passing through an area, the systemcomprising: a first monitor configured to detect activity in a firstzone and to obtain first data relating to the detected activity in thefirst zone; and a second monitor configured to detect activity in asecond zone and to obtain second data relating to the detected activityin the second zone; a third monitor configured to detect activity in athird zone and to obtain third data relating to the detected activity inthe third zone; wherein the first zone, the second zone and the thirdzone form a continuous barrier, wherein a person cannot pass through thecontinuous barrier without being detected by at least one of the firstmonitor, the second monitor and the third monitor; wherein the thirdmonitor communicates with the second monitor and the second monitorcommunicates with the first monitor; and a receiver in communicationwith the first monitor; wherein the receiver is not in communicationwith the second monitor or the third monitor; wherein, upon detection ofone or more persons in one of the first zone, the second zone and thethird zone causes the first monitor to transmit a signal indicative ofone or more people passing through the continuous barrier.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, further comprising a processor in circuitcommunication with the receiver, wherein the processor analyzes thesignal to determine if an opportunity to use a dispenser has occurred.19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a soap dispenser and adevice usage monitor, wherein the soap dispenser is in circuitcommunication with the device usage monitor, wherein the device usagemonitor is in circuit communication with the receiver, and wherein thedevice usage monitor is configured to monitor activity of the dispenserand send a signal to the receiver that the dispenser has dispensed adose of fluid.
 20. The system of claim 17 further comprising a fourthmonitor that monitors a fourth zone and the fourth zone forms part ofthe continuous barrier.